Survival guide

What to do when a wildfire is coming

Reviewed · By SOS.city, made by the people for the people · Sources listed below
In an emergency, call 911

Leave early. Don’t wait to see flames. When officials say go, grab the go-bags, the people and the pets, and use the routes officials name, not shortcuts. In smoke, wear an N95: cloth masks don’t filter it. Before fire season, plan two ways out of your neighborhood and drive them once.

What to do right now

  1. Grab the go-bags, the people and the pets. Go.
  2. Use the routes officials name, not shortcuts.
  3. In smoke, wear an N95. Cloth masks don't filter it.
  4. Tell your out-of-area contact where you're going.

Remember: Leave early. Don't wait to see flames.

Warning signs

Days of smoke, red flag warnings, strong dry winds. An evacuation warning is your cue to go, not to wait for an order.

What happened: Paradise, California, 2018

On 8 November 2018 the Camp Fire formed an urban firestorm in the town of Paradise. CAL FIRE says most of the destruction happened within the first four hours. At least 85 people died. It is the deadliest wildfire in California’s history.

The lesson: Leave early. Know two ways out. Keep a go-bag by the door.

Get ready before it happens

  • Sign up for your county's emergency alerts today.
  • Plan two routes out of your neighborhood, and drive them once.
  • When officials say go, go. Don't wait to see flames.

Questions people ask

When should you evacuate for a wildfire?

Early. An evacuation warning is your cue to go, not to wait for an order. Don’t wait to see flames.

What mask protects you from wildfire smoke?

An N95. Cloth masks don’t filter smoke.

What should you do before wildfire season?

Sign up for your county's emergency alerts today. Plan two routes out of your neighborhood, and drive them once. When officials say go, go. Don't wait to see flames.

Sources

Every step on this page comes from these sources. We check them when we review the page.

General safety information, not medical advice. Always follow instructions from local officials and 911 dispatchers.

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Guides and kits that cover this

The 72-Hour AtlasThe rule for this emergency on one page, plus your household’s 72-hour plan. $12.00.The Go-Bag KitThe grab list for leaving fast, and how to use every item. $9.00.The Grid-Down Kit — DigitalThis situation is one of 18 in the offline Grid-Down app, which works with no internet. $99.99.